CBI Raids Former CM Baghel’s Residence, Others In Mahadev Betting App Case

As part of its ongoing investigation into the Mahadev online betting app case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday carried out searches at as many as 60 locations, including the residence of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.

The raids were conducted across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata and Delhi, including premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key functionaries of Mahadev Book, and other private individuals suspected of involvement in the case, the federal agency said in a statement.

It further added that the searches led to the seizure of incriminating digital and documentary evidence, which is now under examination.

Reacting to the searches, Congress posted on X, “Now CBI has arrived. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to go to Delhi today for the meeting of the ‘Drafting Committee’ constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on 8 and 9 April. Before that, the CBI has reached Raipur and Bhilai Niwas.”

The Congress said the CBI’s searches at former CM’s residences were politically motivated, and asserted it will not be intimidated by such actions.

What is Mahadev Betting App Case & The Story So Far

The Mahadev betting app scam drew public attention after Sourabh Chandrakar’s, a key accused in the case, extravagant wedding in Dubai in February 2023, reportedly costing upwards of INR 200 Cr. The lavish event featured performances by renowned personalities such as Vishal Dadlani, Tiger Shroff, Sunny Leone, Neha Kakkar, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and several others.

Later, ED initiated a crackdown and froze funds worth over INR 1,700 Cr in connection with the Mahadev Book app case.

The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) blocked the Mahadev app in 2023 after allegations surfaced that a majority of people were defrauded of nearly INR 15,000 Cr via the gambling app.

The online gaming app was run by Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal from Dubai, enabling users to bet in real-time on an array of games, including cricket, football, and tennis. In its popular time, the app acquired nearly 10 Mn users.

In March last year, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Chhattisgarh filed a case against Baghel and others based on an investigation report submitted by the ED. It was days after a probe into the Mahadev betting app scam revealed that transactions of fictitious companies were used for investments in the stock market.

Later in August, the current BJP government in Chhattisgarh asked the CBI to take over the investigation. The agency re-registered and clubbed 77 FIRs, filed by the state police in the Mahadev app case, including the one that named Baghel as an accused.

Two months later, Chandrakar was arrested in the UAE on money laundering charges. He  was allegedly involved in money laundering and orchestrated match-fixing of major cricket matches and tournaments held in India through the Mahadev app.